Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has revoked a licence granted to a bakery in Thrissur to sell horti-wine, an alcoholic beverage made from locally grown fruits, and transferred the excise official responsible for issuing the approval. Excise Minister M. Liju said the licence had been granted under rules amended by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government but should not have been issued while the current United Democratic Front (UDF) government was finalising its new liquor policy.
Horti-wine, with an alcohol content of 15.5%, is produced through the fermentation of fruits and other agricultural produce. The initiative was designed primarily to improve farmers’ incomes by creating additional demand for locally grown fruits, particularly pineapple, mango, banana and jackfruit. The latest decision has brought the regulation and retail distribution of the beverage into focus as Kerala reviews its excise framework.
Speaking to reporters, Liju said the previous LDF government had amended excise rules to permit the sale of horti-wine through outlets beyond the Kerala State Beverages (Manufacturing and Marketing) Corporation Limited (BEVCO). He explained that the licence was issued shortly after the Excise Commissioner assumed charge and argued that he should have been informed about the decision, even though the order did not technically require ministerial approval.
The minister confirmed that C. K. Anil Kumar, the Abkari Deputy Commissioner who handled the licence application, had been transferred and placed on compulsory wait. Liju maintained that although the officer had acted under the existing amended rules, issuing the licence during the ongoing policy review was inappropriate.
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Bottle Sales Generate 60% of France’s Wine Tourism Revenue, Winalist Study FindsThe previous LDF government introduced the Kerala Small Scale Winery Rules in 2022 to encourage wine production from agricultural produce other than food grains, particularly fruits. Subsequent amendments allowed licensed bakeries to procure horti-wine from BEVCO warehouses and sell it directly to consumers, especially during periods of increased demand, such as the Christmas and New Year festive season.
Former Excise Minister and CPI(M) leader M. B. Rajesh defended the earlier policy, stating that the amendments were intended to support fruit farmers. He said the previous government had refrained from issuing such licences because of social sensitivities, despite changing the rules to facilitate the initiative. Rajesh cautioned that reversing the arrangement could provoke a reaction from farmers who stood to benefit from the proposed market.
The controversy comes as the UDF government prepares to introduce a new liquor policy. Its final decisions on horti-wine licensing and retail distribution could have implications for Kerala’s small-scale wineries, fruit growers, licensed retailers and the wider alcoholic beverages industry.
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